Women

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Pope Francis speaks aboard the papal plane on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024.

Pope Francis responds to critics of comments he made in Belgium about women

Sep 29, 2024

By CNA Staff

“A woman is more important than a man, but it is terrible when a woman wants to be a man:... Read more

Edith Stein, pictured as a student in 1913-1914.

10 quotes from Edith Stein on what it means to be a woman 

Aug 9, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

On Aug. 9 the Catholic Church celebrates the life of philosopher, writer, and religious sister St. Teresa Benedicta of the... Read more

Belgian prelates Archbishop Luc Terlinden of Mechelen-Brussels (left) and former archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels Cardinal Jozef De Kesel were fined by a Belgian court after they denied a woman entry into a diaconate formation program.

Court fines Belgian cardinal, archbishop for denying woman admission to diaconate

Jun 27, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

The two prelates will have to pay 1,500 euro (about $1,605) each, the court ordered. Read more

Pope Francis at his general audience in St. Peter's Square on May 17, 2023.

Pope Francis: It’s our duty to give a voice to women who are victims of abuse

Nov 9, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The pope said that violence against women must be “eliminated from its roots” — namely prejudiced ideas that see people... Read more

A sculpture of Hildegard of Bingen by Karlheinz Oswald at Eibingen Abbey in Hesse, Germany.

Pope Francis praises ‘great’ St. Hildegard of Bingen

Oct 8, 2020

Pope Francis hailed the “great” Doctor of the Church St. Hildegard of Bingen in a message to a Vatican women’s... Read more

Women suffragists picketing in front of the White house in 1917.

Maryland bishops praise suffragettes ‘fighting for the dignity of women’ 100 years ago

Aug 26, 2020

Giving women the right to vote was a “landmark achievement” worthy of celebration, the bishops of Maryland said in a... Read more

Women holding hands in prayer. Stock image via Shutterstock.

Online forum aims to form Catholic women in faith

Jun 8, 2020

The GIVEN Institute has announced a free online event “Discover the Gift,” seeking to empower women to realize their worth... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on Oct. 1 2014.

In letter, Pope Francis asks for prayers for mothers facing the post-pandemic world

May 26, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

In a letter to an Italian journalist Monday, Pope Francis said we should pray for mothers to have courage as... Read more

Pope Francis greets a woman Oct. 1, 2014.

In Querida Amazonia, pope calls for women in Church leadership, but not diaconate

Feb 12, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation on the Amazon calls for women in the South American region to be included in new... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass for Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Jan. 1, 2020.

Pope Francis: Honor the dignity of women for a better world in 2020

Jan 1, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis began the new year with a call for the dignity of women to be honored -- not exploited... Read more

Arizona home helps women rebuild lives after prison

Dec 30, 2019

By Perry West

Women leaving prison can face numerous challenges – from finding housing and employment despite a criminal record to repairing relationships... Read more

Jenna Guizar, her husband, and their four daughters. Photo

Why Blessed is She's founder says she's blessed

Dec 28, 2019

By Jenny Uebbing

“What makes Blessed is She different is that it’s not about one person, there is no cult of personality. It’s... Read more

Holy See to UN: More must be done to end violence against women

Oct 9, 2019

Violence against women remains a global concern for the Vatican, an official told members of the United Nations this week,... Read more

Sister Ester of South Sudan's "Blue Sisters."

In South Sudan, the 'Blue Sisters' bring hope to abused women

May 4, 2019

They were founded three decades ago in southern Sudan, and named the Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary. But in... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square March 14, 2018.

Pope Francis: The resurrection is the most shocking event in human history

Apr 22, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis said Monday that the resurrection of Christ is the most shocking event in human history.  Read more

Elderly women wield canes to beat back priest's attacker in Canada

Mar 27, 2019

Police are investigating an incident in Edmonton, Canada, after a posse of elderly women beat back a priest attacker with... Read more

Founder, editorial board resign from Vatican women’s magazine

Mar 26, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

The founder and entire editorial board of a women’s magazine published by the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano have quit over... Read more

Briana Santiago, synod youth auditor.

What Pope Francis says about women and the youth synod

Oct 25, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

Women, including religious and consecrated women, have had an active role in the 2018 synod of bishops: they have listened... Read more

Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

Canadian cardinal: Women should help screen, train priest applicants

Sep 18, 2018

Increasing the role of women in screening and training priests is among the steps that should be taken to prevent... Read more

Pope Francis and a woman at the general audience in St. Peter's Square, Feb. 10, 2016.

'We deserve answers now': 35,000 Catholic women pen letter to pope

Aug 30, 2018

A group of lay Catholic women have written an open letter to Pope Francis, demanding that he answer the questions... Read more